The Ministry of Planning and Investment on June 5 announced overall development plans for two southern economic zones through to 2020, which are focused on expanding key fields and boosting GDP growth.

Under the plans, approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the Southern Key Economic Zone is expected to lead localities throughout the country in broadening electronics and software production and a range of services, including trade, logistics, finance, telecommunications and tourism. These are expected to boost national socio-economic development.

Ho Chi Minh City, the core of the zone, will strive to become a regional-level service hub and provide high-skilled human resources to surrounding localities and others.

The zone targets GDP growth ranging from 8.5-9 percent in the 2016-2020 period. The industry-construction-service sectors will account for 95-96 percent of the GDP.

The GDP per capita will reach 3,900-4,000 USD by 2015 and over 5,000 USD by 2020. The figure is expected to climb to 12,200 USD by 2030.

The zone groups HCM City and seven provinces, including Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh and Dong Nai.

Meanwhile, the Mekong Delta Economic Zone, constituted by Can Tho city and the three provinces of Ca Mau, An Giang and Kien Giang, will be developed into a large-scale tourism and service centre in Vietnam, focusing on expanding Nam Can national tourism area.

Phu Quoc Island will be built into an international trade centre as well as a national and international high-end ecotourism and entertainment centre, fostering Vietnam’s integration in the regional economy.

At the announcement ceremony, Deputy Minister Dang Huy Dong required the aforementioned localities to work more closely with ministries, agencies and research institutes to specify the investment in key fields and utilise policies and mechanisms in realising the goals in a flexible manner.

Ministries and agencies should direct the localities to step up their key programmes and projects, particularly traffic and irrigation systems and those designed to cope with climate change, the official added.-VNA